Phantom Planet
Phantom Planet
Phantom Planet’s first two fine power-pop discs didn’t make much of a splash, but the selection of their song “California” as the theme to the hit Fox show “The O.C.” has worked wonders for the group’s profile. Yet their self-titled third album doesn’t settle for rehashing old ideas: Slick L.A. producer Mitchell Froom is out, and Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips) is in, and the result is a noisier, more adventurous outing that touches on everything from new wave to angular post-punk. Sure, “Badd Business” and “Making a Killing” show the group still has a knack for strong melodies, but the rough edges and wild arrangements find Phantom Planet restlessly and refreshingly bucking expectations in favor of intriguing new directions. Take away: Rough pop
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale (cdipasquale@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com).
